Early history of surfski in Hong Kong and the birth of the Dragon Run
By Andy Orr, Race Founder and Race Director 2007–2013
I started paddling around 20 years ago, in the aftermath of back surgery. A friend (a long-since-departed VRC member) suggested that I give paddling a go in order to build up some core strength post-surgery, and so I took the plunge and bought a 16 foot plastic “surf ski” from New Zealand and joined the VRC.
The first surf skis
At the time, there were no “ocean” surf skis here (as far as I remember), although James Shortis did have an Aussie surf lifesaving ski on the outside racks at the VRC in Deep Water Bay. I joined the HKIPC boys and girls on my first Round-the Island race (Kellett Island to Stanley) on my plastic surf ski.
Soon thereafter – and I am not sure of the exact order of events – but a small group of VRC members (including Rob “One Speed” Wall and Jon Dingley) purchased the first proper ocean surf skis we knew about in HK, from Custom Kayaks in South Africa. Fixed leg length, solid fiberglass, but quick as far as we were concerned. I remember a few lads then purchased Fenn Mako skis, and at around the same time Epic started producing skis and a scattering of the early Epics started showing up.
The first races
This was around the time that Rene Appel, at the time the HK windsurfing coach and future Epic dealer in HK, showed up with his nifty air travel friendly 3-piece Epic ski. Surf skis were becoming more popular with a few popping up at the VRC in Emerald Bay, and in far-flung places such as Shek O and Discovery Bay. There were a core group of lads who trained pretty hard, but there weren’t any races for surf skis at that time. The HKIPC crew used to let us join in their time trials, but as numbers grew, I decided to start the “Southside Challenge” races, which started and finished at the VRC on Saturday mornings from time to time.
At around this time, myself and Rob paddled a double ski to Macau in a T3. One of the most memorable paddles of my life. Actually one of the most memorable life events I’ve experienced. The wind was huge and the runs were legendary. The HKIPC crew got to Pui O on Lantau and decided to stop due to the wild conditions. Rob reminded me that I’d never be able to look my young son in the eye if I pulled out. Anyone who knows Wally knows quitting is never an option. 10 hours of exhilaration, hard yacker, exhaustion and the best tasting Mars Bars in the history of mankind.
Wally, JD and Rene raced Molokai in 2007, and that led to a major turning point in the local surf ski community. They cemented a relationship with the great Oscar Chalupsky and from that time on the Big O started appearing regularly in HK. This was the time that Epic started producing skis in China, so Oscar used to come here before or after visiting the Epic factory to do some clinics, drink beers and clean out Rene’s fridge.
The first “international” race
We were seeing organic growth in the surf ski fraternity (and there were no female ski paddlers at that time), but Oscar pretty much put our growth curve on steroids and Epic skis started popping up everywhere. On his first visit here in 2007, Oscar was having a beer with JD, Rob, Rene and myself at the VRC and suggested that we start “an international race”. Given my history with the Southside Challenge races, the organising committee (JD, Wally, Rene and myself) “voted” that I take the lead on organizing, and on November 24, 2007, the first Dragon Run International Ocean Kayak & Outrigger Championships was staged. A field of 48 surf ski and OC paddled a grueling 33km course from Clearwater Bay to the VRC in Deep Water Bay. Dawid Mocke won the race, with Tahitian Lewis Laughlin finishing 2nd in front of the legendary duo of Oscar and Dean Gardner. Our prize purse was US$10,000. The after party was held at the VRC, the one and only time that happened (before this year) due to numbers and logistics.
The first female paddler
The common consensus was that our race course was too long and arduous (Deano, who hates flat water, was the most vociferous), so in 2008 we shortened it to 24km, from Clearwater Bay to Stanley. The Sea School became the race “home” for the first time. We managed to find our first significant sponsor Man Investments) and we were able to up the prize money to US$15,000. We had 86 paddlers, including 15 of the world “elite”. We also had our first female paddler, Michelle Eray, and OC1 legend Karel Tresnak Jr. Dawid Mocke won again.
The short course
In 2009 we had 130 paddlers and introduced the short course for the first time. It was a race dominated by the Aussies, with Shannon Ekstein absolutely killing it and winning by 3 minutes winning ahead of Jeremy Cotter and Tim Jacobs. Michelle Eray took the women’s line honours. It was also the first year of the great relationship we shared for many years with Jaspas and the late Wayne Parfitt. I have fantastic memories of Oscar and Wayne drinking and telling lies outside Wagyu restaurant and bar.
2010 saw Dawid and Nikki Mocke take both top prizes and we grew to 147 entrants.
Steelcase comes on board
2011 was huge. Steelcase came on board as title sponsor for the first time. We had close to 250 entrants across all races and categories. Surf ski “media legend”, Rob Mousley (the man behind surski.info) attended in person. Lovely fella. Prize money rose to US$20,000. Tim Jacobs headed off Dawid Mocke and Hank Macgregor. Alexa Cole won the female race.
2012 was also a big one, with Aussies Tim Jacobs winning again and Naomi Flood taking the female race.
The Joe Glickman Award
2013 was my last year running the Dragon Run. It was time to move on and I handed the reins over to Bruce. Hank Macgregor took line honours, but the real highlight was having Joe Glickman here in person. Joe was a legend of the sport, and I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to call him a friend. He was a really good fun guy who always left you smiling.
Joe Glickman was a sports journalist and avid surfski enthusiast who followed the surfski world tour and was himself a handy paddler. Sadly, Joe succumbed to pancreatic cancer a few years ago.
In 2020, the first Joe Glickman Award for outstanding achievement, dedication and commitment to the sport of surfski paddling was awarded to Oscar Chalupsky. Oscar was a great friend of Joe and is himself battling cancer.